Why we only open in spring and autumn (and why that matters)
Arne has been surfing since 1996 and runs the camp with extensive knowledge from surf trips around the world. He is a qualified and licensed surf instructor from the British Surfing Association (BSA) and the International Surfing Association (ISA) as well as a qualified sports scientist and personal and fitness trainer. With his ISA Level 2 Surf Coach Diploma and many years of experience, he offers professional and holistic coaching.
Why so?
To be honest, most surf camp owners would call us crazy. Shutting our doors when the crowds are at their peak? It’s definitely the opposite way of thinking.
In case you didn’t know, A-Frames season begins in spring and returns again in autumn. A choice that raises eyebrows in the industry, but makes perfect sense for the kind of experience we offer.
It’s not a marketing trick. It’s not about being different for the sake of it either.
It’s simply because Arne and myself want to create the best possible environment for surfing, yoga and connection. And that environment simply doesn’t exist when the beaches are crowded, the sun is too harsh and the industry is in full conveyor belt (we’ll explain later) mode.
Let’s talk about why.
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A top view shows a crowded beach with umbrellas, lots of people and the shoreline on a sunny day
The (ugly) truth about summer surf tourism
If you’ve ever been to a well-known surf spot in July or August, whether it's Morocco, Indonesia or Europe, you know the scene.
Lineups packed with dozens of surfers jostling for the same wave
Prices for everything (accommodation, car rentals, coffee) inflated by peak-season demand
Yoga studios where you’re constantly bumping into the person next to you
Noise late into the night
An overall “rush hour” feel
Add to that hot, hot days. You know the ones. Days where the midday sun makes everything from paddling out to stretching feel more like endurance training than pleasure.
This is the reality of high-season surf tourism: a focus on numbers.
The goal for many surf businesses is to get as many people through the doors as possible. Which is of course OK… if that’s the way they make their living. But while this makes sense for an operator’s bottom line, it doesn’t make sense for your overall guest experience.
Since those early days when we first founded A-Frame, we’ve always believed that surfing and yoga revolve around a different rhythm.
Why spring and autumn are perfect for surfing and yoga
When you think about the why behind surfing or yoga, it’s not just about exercise or increased mobility or getting tubed (although those things are indeed awesome).
It’s about taking a break from the busyness of life. It’s about connection: to the ocean, to the moment and to yourself and others.
That’s why we choose the seasons when nature, the community and the body are in better balance.
More waves, less waiting
Spring and autumn often bring more consistent swells than the height of summer.
The water isn’t as crowded, giving you more opportunities to actually catch waves. You have the space to practice without having to be constantly worried about other surfers. Which can be very stressful indeed!
Conditions are still accessible for beginners, but with enough energy in the waves to challenge intermediates.
In short: more time riding waves and less time waiting for them.
Weather that works with you
Forget the scorch of peak summer heat. In spring and autumn, the temperatures are warm enough for comfort but cool enough for long, active days in the water and on the mat.
Surf sessions are energising, not exhausting. Yoga outdoors feels refreshing, not stifling.
You can explore the coastline or wander the village without constantly seeking shade. It’s the kind of weather that invites you to stay outside, to breathe deeply, and to really enjoy each day.
A calmer rhythm
In spring and autumn, the beaches and towns return to a gentler pace.
The lineups are friendlier and more spacious. Cafés have time to chat instead of rushing orders. Evenings are quieter with more stars in the sky than tourists in the street.
When the pace slows down, you get the space to truly relax and recharge. And that’s what we want our surf and yoga camp to be about.
More personal, more connected
With fewer guests, we can give more attention to each person… in the water and on the yoga mat!
Surf coaching can be more personalised, with instructors focusing on your individual progress. Yoga sessions can adapt more closely to your energy levels and needs.
The whole camp feels more like a shared home than a revolving door of strangers. It’s not about volume.
It’s about value.
Better for the planet and the community
Overtourism is real. Packing a location with visitors during the same few months puts intense pressure on local infrastructure, the environment and the community.
By opening in spring and autumn, we spread our impact across the year instead of adding to the summer strain. We support local businesses in quieter months when they most need it. We reduce the environmental footprint that comes with concentrated mass tourism.
This slower, steadier rhythm is not only better for guests… it’s better for the place we call home.
Why we don’t chase the “conveyor belt” model
There’s a certain model of surf tourism that’s all about maximising everything.
The goal: fill every bed, every week, all summer long. Guests come and go, staff change over and the operation runs like an assembly line.
No doubt… it’s efficient and it’s profitable. But it’s completely at odds with how we think surfing and yoga should be experienced.
For us, these aren’t just activities you “do” and tick off your list. They’re practices you grow with, that deepen over time, that deserve patience and care.
Arne and I have had this discussion many times. And ultimately, to run our camp like a conveyor belt would be to lose the magic entirely.
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A surfer paddles on her board and smiles directly into the camera on a sunny day
The vibe you’ll find here
Opening in spring and autumn shapes everything about the A-Frame experience.
In the lineup there is more space, more waves, more smiles!
In the yoga shala, a quieter, more focused energy
Around the table, conversations that last longer than the sunset without the background buzz of high-season chaos
Most importantly though, you have more time to process, reflect and enjoy time with family and friends. Like, really enjoy
Guests often tell us they didn’t realise how much the season shapes the entire trip… until they’ve lived it.
A surf camp built for experience, not just numbers
Could we open in peak summer and fill the place? Of course. Would that make business sense on paper? Definitely. But that’s not what A-Frame is all about.
We want you to go home feeling like you’ve had a week of real growth: in your surfing, your yoga practice and your connection to yourself/your family/your friends.
That’s the kind of value that stays with you long after the tan fades. Spring and autumn make that possible. And that’s why we open when we do.
So if you’ve ever wondered why A-Frame isn’t open when “everyone else” is… now you know.